Missionaries at the Language School in China

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 13, 1913

Missionaries at the Language School in China

The efficiency of a missionary depends largely upon his ability to acquire the language on reaching his field. In China, at Nanking, is a language school conducted by other mission boards, and our brethren there have recommended our missionaries to attend it on reaching that field. After spending some time there, Brother S. G. White, who recently went out to China from California, has this to say of it:—

“1. Being away from home, the student has no interruption nor cares while studying. This means much, especially to those who have families.”

“2. Competition. Students who have just finished college courses, and some who hold university degrees, are attending the language school; therefore, one has to do his best in order to keep up with those who come fresh from study.”

“3. Lectures. Persons who have been in China for many years give the students occasional lectures, which seem to be practical, and which lighten the load and light the path.”

“4. Foreign instruction. Three foreign teachers systematically devote considerable of their time to teaching. The ones who give instruction have had experience here, some of them for twenty-five years. This enables the student to work intelligently from the start.”

“5. Rotation of teachers, or better, of students. The individual study-rooms are about ten by twelve feet in size. These are numbered, and open into a large room on two sides. While the teacher remains in the same room week after week, the students move each Monday to the room next higher. If one has an inferior teacher this week, it is consoling to know that a good one is in the room above his. Another advantage of this system is that the teacher does not become acquainted to any extent with the student's failings; and if he has faults or peculiarities, the student does not absorb them.”

“6. Inspection of teachers. At the head of the corps of Chinese teachers is an experienced Chinese, who has traveled over China considerably, and is therefore acquainted with the different dialects and qualified to correct errors and give special instruction. This man visits the study-rooms frequently during the day, and if the teacher is not checking up and correcting the students’ mistakes, tones, or pronunciation, he is instructed forthwith. Besides this Chinese head teacher, we have daily visits from the three foreign instructors. Only one who is learning the language can appreciate what a help this is, especially at the start.”

GROUP OF SABBATH-KEEPERS AT CERVANTES, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

“7. Poor teachers dismissed. After teachers have been given a fair trial and prove to be lazy or incompetent, they are dismissed at the end of the month, and others are employed. Thus the Chinese teaching force is kept up to a high standard.”

“8. Some attention is given to physical exercise in the middle of both the forenoon and afternoon sessions.”

“9. Association with missionary students.”